The Atlantis is heavily inspired by the architecture and sound of the classic Roland SH-101. However, the Atlantis uses triangle core VCOs (based on the Dixie core) instead of Saw core, which respond much more musically to FM. The modulation oscillator can be used as an LFO or VCO (audio rate) and both track very precisely over 8 or more octaves.

The Intellijel Atlantis

In the mixer section you can adjust the balance of the primary oscillators waveforms including a sinewave which is normalled to the EXT IN jack. You could also patch in one of the modulation oscillators waveforms into this channel and be able to operate the Atlantis as a proper two oscillator synth. There is a switch labelled ?LINK? which enables the modulation vco pitch to be based as an offset of the primary VCO. This is useful when using it as a stacked dual vco or when you have the mod VCO acting as the linear FM source for the primary vco and wish to maintain the ratio.

The filter section is a Roland style cascaded 4 pole multimode filter with LP, BP and HP modes. The LP Boost switch engages a special mode useful for the LP that produces a much fatter and prominent sound that is not drowned out by resonance (unlike the original SH-101). The filter self-oscillates to produce a very clean sine wave which also tracks 1V/Oct. Between the Mod VCO, Primary VCO, Sub Oscillator and resonating filter it is possible to layer up to four different pitches at one time.

The envelope section is an ADSR with a dual range switch. It also can be set to a looping mode which can be gated on/off externally.

The output VCA feeds into a two level output clipping circuit that you can use to get a much ballsier/dirtier sound.

“ALESIS VORTEX WIRELESS KEYTAR OFFERS TRUE ONSTAGE MOBILITY FOR ALL KEYBOARD PLAYERS
The popular Alesis Vortex has been updated with wireless USB MIDI

Cumberland, RI, USA – January 22, 2014. Alesis, a leading manufacturer of instruments and tools for today’s musician, announces the new Vortex Wireless USB MIDI keyboard controller with accelerometer.

A keytar for the modern performer, Vortex Wireless delivers unprecedented control and expression by transmitting MIDI via a wireless USB connection for dynamic on-stage freedom, and includes the virtual synthesizer plug-in Vortex-I Digital Virtual Instrument from acclaimed software creator SONiVOX. In addition to 37 velocity sensitive keys with aftertouch—the keyboard features an assignable accelerometer (tilt-sensor) in the neck that can translate gestures into additional controls—adding vibrato when the neck is pulled up, for example. For additional control, Vortex Wireless provides 8 drum/trigger pads, 3 assignable knobs, a multi- mode ribbon controller, pitch bend wheel, and a volume slider.

Plugging the included USB receiver dongle into any MAC or PC establishes a live USB/MIDI link with the Vortex Wireless. There is also a standard MIDI output (5-pin) mounted in the Vortex Wireless for connecting to other MIDI-enabled equipment, such as a favorite hardware synthesizer. Vortex Wireless can run on batteries, USB bus power, or can be powered using an optional AC adaptor. Each Vortex Wireless also includes a USB cable with extension for the USB receiver dongle and 4 x AA batteries, so users can begin playing right away.

In addition, the Vyzex Vortex Patch Editor Software is also provided, making it easy to create, edit, and backup patches to your computer. AbletonTM Live Lite 8 Alesis Edition is also included.

Alesis Vortex Wireless Keytar Highlights:

‘Nearly every keytar or remote keyboard has required a cable of one sort or another, be it power, MIDI, audio, or USB” said Nate Lane, Product Manager at Alesis. “With the Vortex Wireless, the player is truly free to move about at will. This onstage freedom allows the player to make the most of the onboard accelerometer and other extensive controls to create an original, expressive performance without the hassle of cables on stage.’
Combines expressive control with onstage mobility
37 velocity-sensitive keys with aftertouch
8 velocity-sensitive trigger/drum pads
USB dongle creates a wireless connection to any Mac/PC
Volume slider, pitch wheel, ribbon controller, sustain pedal jack
USB, battery, or external power; USB MIDI + 5-pin MIDI outputs
Includes SONiVOX Vortex I DVI and AbletonTM Live Lite Alesis Edition

Vortex Wireless will be available with an estimated street price of $199.99 USD
Alesis will present the Vortex Wireless at the 2014 NAMM Show in Hall A, Booth 6700, January
23-26 in Anaheim, California. For more information, visit: www.alesis.com/WNAMM2014”

M-Audio’s Trigger Finger was one of the first MPC pad style controller only devices. Its been a while since M-Audio revisited that particular model. At the NAMM 2014 show, they are introducing the Trigger Finger Pro.

Its a nice looking machine with a large, three line LCD monitor, 16 pads and MIDI and USN connections while still being bus-powered.

Available in the Spring 2014 at $399

M-Audio unexpectedly brings out something that looks like NI Maschine but with 16-Step Sequencer Line – this is basically Drum Pads and a jam-type of sequencer like the Akai MAX49 has, so – this is still a controller not a groovebox or host or even a drummachine. that sequencer can not be reprogrammed but could be a cool tool if one could access it – it has built in midi as well to send the sequences somewhere. since M-Audio belongs to the Akai/Numark/Alesis Group (inMusic) this might be the same concept as the MAX Keyboards but as a pad controller. 4 memory banks – so really just for jamming.

Elektron has released this sneak preview of what they are introducing at the 2014 NAMM Show. It’s just a teaser – but the layout looks a bit like the MachineDrum with a pad grid added, and the styling follows the OctaTrack, AnalogFour look.

“…the new Moog synth is ‘2-note paraphonic’ — it can play two independent pitches from its two oscillators, in response to two keys played at once. Paraphonic still seemed less misleading than ‘Duophonic’ (to me) because of the single VCF, VCA, and their respective envelope generators. Although ultimately I had very little to do with what got written on the panel”

Paraphony is the property of an electronic musical instrument that can produce multiple notes or voices, but falls short of being truly polyphonic because the voices are not fully independent since they share at least one common element. For example, there might be just one single filter working on all voices collectively rather than the one filter per voice of truly polyphonic instruments; or there might be only one envelope generator.

One well-known paraphonic synth is the Korg Poly-800, which had 8 oscillators and could produce 8 voices (or 4 2-oscillator voices), but had just one filter.

“NAMM Show 2014, Here We Come! Cut-offWe just embarked on the bus from Waldorf to Anaheim, and we packed some exciting new products! If you are curious or just want to say hello, we would be happy to meet you on our booth #6009.”

Dave Bryce checks out Roland’s first new workstation since the Fantom-G, the FA series.

Roland has announced two new workstation keyboards, the FA-08 and FA-06, which it says meet the needs of anyone who wants an instrument that they can use both on stage and in the studio.

Featuring a built-in audio interface, DAW integration, more than 2000 sounds from the Integra-7 sound module and an 88-note weighted action keyboard, the FA-08 weighs in at 16kg. It comes with a 16-track sequencer, and each of the 16 available parts can access its own effects engine, which sports 67 effect types. The UK price is £1529.

Full specs are below. The FA-06 boasts very similar specs but comes with a 61-note velocity-sensitive keyboard. It retails for £975. You can find out more about both models on the Roland website.

Featuring a huge selection of Roland’s best sounds, a 16-track sequencer, seamless DAW integration, an easy-to-use sampler, and much more, the new FA series completely reimagines the music workstation for effortless real-time power, ultra-fast workflow, and maximum versatility.